Automatic Analysis Apparatus Water Replacement Without Stopping Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic analysis apparatuses face challenges in continuous operation due to the need for frequent water replacement in reaction vessels, which interrupts measurement and requires time to heat and stabilize the water and light source lamp, leading to inefficiencies and wasted time.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a control unit to manage the discharge and supply of water based on detected levels, allowing for partial water replacement during operation without stopping the measurement process, using multiple water level detectors to optimize water usage and maintain continuous cooling of the light source lamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water in the reaction vessel is replaced by draining and supplying, then foreign substances are removed, but the light source lamp cannot be cooled and measurement must be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The water replacement process is segmented into two independent systems: a reaction vessel water circulation system and a thermostatic bath water system. The reaction vessel water is continuously circulated and cooled through the thermostatic bath without being drained, while the thermostatic bath water is separately replaced through its own circulation path. This segmentation allows foreign substances to be removed from the thermostatic bath without interrupting the cooling function or measurement in the reaction vessel.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostatic bath acts as an intermediary cooling medium between the reaction vessel water and the external environment. Instead of directly draining and replacing water in the reaction vessel (which would stop cooling), the system replaces water in the thermostatic bath, which indirectly refreshes the cooling medium while maintaining continuous cooling capability through the circulation pump.
2Productivity
If water is concurrently drained and supplied to replace in reaction vessel, then water replacement is efficient, but time is required to heat supplied water and stabilize light source lamp
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of supplied water by passing it through the thermostatic bath before it enters the reaction vessel. The circulation pump pre-cools the incoming water through continuous circulation, eliminating the need for post-replacement heating and stabilization time. This preliminary action ensures that water temperature and lamp temperature are already optimized before measurement begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation pump maintains continuous water circulation through the thermostatic bath and reaction vessel, ensuring uninterrupted cooling and temperature stabilization. This continuous action eliminates idle time between water replacement and measurement, as the system never stops its useful cooling function.
3Temperature
If light source lamp is cooled with circulated water, then lamp temperature is controlled, but cooling stops when water is drained
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is extracted from the reaction vessel water system and assigned to a separate thermostatic bath water system. The reaction vessel water continues to circulate through the thermostatic bath, maintaining its cooling capability independently of the thermostatic bath water replacement process. This extraction ensures that lamp cooling duration is not limited by water replacement cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables continuous operation of the automatic analysis apparatus for extended periods without interrupting specimen measurement, reducing water consumption, and maintaining stable light source lamp cooling, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating an object to be measured with light and measuring the light scattered by the object to be measured
Implementation Method 2
the light source lamp is cooled with the circulated water
Data Source
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AI summary
An automatic analysis apparatus according to the present invention is capable of replacing circulated water in a reaction vessel and continuously cooling a light source lamp without stopping an operation for measuring a specimen. In an operation state, a drain electromagnetic valve 49 is opened, and reaction vessel water 18 is drained outside. When the water level reaches a measurement limit water level 45, the drain electromagnetic valve 49 is closed. The reaction vessel water 18 is supplied by starting a water supply pump and opening a water supply electromagnetic valve 48. When a first water level detector 41 confirms that the water level has reached a full water level 44, the water supply electromagnetic valve 48 is closed, and the water supply pump 54 is stopped. In a state other than the operation state, the reaction vessel water 18 is drained outside. When a third water level detector 43 confirms that the water level has reached a circulation limit water level 46, the drain electromagnetic valve 49 is closed. When the water supply electromagnetic valve 48 is opened and the reaction vessel water 18 reaches the full water level 44, the water supply electromagnetic valve 48 is closed and the water supply is stopped.